[Restricted adenohyphophyseal function after neuroadenolysis for severe pain due to bony metastases.].

Neuroadenolysis of the pituitary (NALP) is an efficient measure for treatment of severe pain in patients with bony metastases. It is especially recommended for primary carcinomas of the breast or prostate. The procedure, transsphenoidal puncture of the pituitary under radiographic control and instillation of up to 2 ml 95% alcohol, is simple. The pathomechanism of the analgesic effect is still unknown. Extensive determinations of the anterior pituitary hormones LH, FSH, HPRL, ACTH, and HGH were done before and up to 14 days after NALP in six consecutive patients receiving this treatment. The pituitary was stimulated with releasing hormones LHRH (100 mug) and TRH (200 mug) before and 3 days after NALP. Determinations of hormone parameters were done 25 and 60 min after injection. The results showed that hormone production by the adenohypophysis becomes unevenly suppressed. The following results are significant (P<0.05): (1) LH: poststimulation values are extremely suppressed; (2) FSH: basal values decrease; (3) ACTH: basal values decrease after the 6th day. The antalgic effect of NALP is independent of its hormonal consequences. NALP produces hormonal suppressions of various degrees, and is not a "chemical hypophysectomy".